Means for closing lined cartons



Oct. 29, 1929. H. EVANS MEANS FOR CLOSING LINED CARTONS Filed July 51, 1928 R m n NvN E R V m A Patented Oct. 29, 1929 UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE HARRY L. EVANS, OF NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, .ASSIGNOB TO C ABTONDTG MACHIN- EBY CORPORATION, OF NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, A. CORPORATION 01' NEW JERSEY MEANS FOR CLOSING LINED CAB'IONB Application filed m 31,

This invention relates to improvements in means for closing the filling ends of lined cartons; and the invention has for its principal object to provide a novel automatic mechanism adapted to fold and close the open end of a carton lining and also to close the end fla s of the lined carton.

he mechanism of this invention is adapted for either independent use or for use in combination with or as a functional part of an automatic machine for setting up, lining, filling, sealing-and closing cartons or boxes, such e. g; as the machine shown and described in prior Letters-Patent of the United States, No. 1,622,709, dated March 29th, 1927.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, Wlll be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the same.

The invention is illustrated in the accon1-,

panying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front side elevation of the novel mechanism for closing lined cartons made according to and embodying the principles of this invention; Figure 2 is a crosssectional view taken on line 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end View looking to the right in Figure 1; Figures 4, 5, (Sand 7 are respectively fragmentary detail views illustrating the operation of lining folders and side tab closure of the mechanism; Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 88 in Figure 1 illustrating the operation of preliminary creasing and folding the tuck portion of the foldable closing flap of the carton; and Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 99 in Figure 1 illustrating the operation of tucking the tuck portion of the closing flap of the carton.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

The mechanism of this invention is adapted to function in connection with that type of commercial carton or container comprising a rectangular hollow body 1 having at least at one end inwardly foldable side tabs 2 and '2 and a foldable closure flap 3 having a tuck portion 4 at'its free end. Cartons of this kind are usually made of light cardboard, and

1928. Serial No. 296,550.

when used as a container for edible products are frequently provided with a lining 5 of paraffin paper. Such lined cartons are filled with the desired content throu h the open end of the lining, whereupon the latter is folded and closed u over the content and the tabs and flaps of t e carton body are then closed to complete the package. Machines adapted to set up, line and fill such cartons and then close the open end of the lining and carton are in use whereby the said operations areautomatically carried on in proper sequence; or separate machines for performin the several operations may be provided. Ihe present invention may be readily adapted for use as a separate mechanism or it may be incorporated in a combination machine as a functional part' thereof. The mechanism of the instant invention may be employed in a fully automatic machine, such for example, as that shown and described in prior United States Letters Patent No. 1,622,709 above referred to, so as 'to take the place of the carton and lining closing means therein shown.

After the lined carton 1 has received its charge of articles to be enclosed therein it is suitably conveyed or propelled to the stations or points at which the lining closing-and carton closing mechanisms are located. To illustrate one method of presenting the filled cartons to the closing mechanism I have shown in the drawings a runway 10 supported on a base 11, and adjacent to which runway the lining and carton closing devices are mounted. The means for propelling the cartons through this runway may consist in a reciprocating carrier adapted to progressively advance the cartons in a step by step manner. This propelling means or carrier isshown and described in detail in the aforementioned U.'S. Patent No. 1,622,709, and comprises a longitudinally reciprocable rock-shaft 12 movable in bearings, one of which is indicated by the reference character 13, and which are fixed on said base 11. Secured to said rock-shaft 12 by bracket blocks 14 is a longitudinal propeller device or carrier 15 having a series of inwardly projecting push-pieces 16, the latter being spaced apart one from another slightly in excess of the width of the upstanding car- 35 18 is an oscillating shaft 33.

tons. Said propeller device or carrier is arranged for lateral oscillatory movement by timed rockin movements of said rock-shaft m to propelling position so as to engage the cartons with the push-pieces 16 to advance the same upon the next forward stroke of said propelling means, all whereby progressive step by step delivery of the cartons to the lining closing and carton closing devices is so attained as to eifect properly timed presentation of the cartons to said devices and subject to the operations thereof.

Supported on the base 11, adjacent to the 20 runway 10, are a pair of spaced standards 17,

having at their upper ends laterally off set bearing members 18 disposed to overhang said runway 10. Journaled in and extending through and between said'bearing members 18 is a driven rotary shaft 19. A driving gear 20, driven by a sprocket 21 and chain 222, or in any other suitable manner, meshes with a driven gear 23 fixed on one end of sa d shaft- 19. Fixed on the opposite end of said shaft 19, so as to be revolved thereby, are a series of arms carrying means for manipulating the open end of the carton lining and certain tabs and flaps of the carton end closure, the same comprising the arm 24 having at its end a primary lining folder 25,

the arm 26 having at its end a secondary lini-ng folder 2?, and the arm 28 having at its end a rear side tab folding cam 29. These arms are arranged or set on the shaft 19 in successive relation so that the primary lining folder 25 leads in the direction of revolution, the secondary lining folder 2? follows, and then follows the side tab folding cam 29, all so'that these parts successively act on the packa e in the manner to be hereinafter more particularly set forth.

Secured upon the propeller device or carrier 15 in a proper location is a side tab holding finger 30 which at proper times engages and holds against reflex action or opening, a

down-folded rear side tab of the carton.

Secured to the bearing 18 ad acent to the revolving folder devices, or otherwise rigidly supportd'above the path of movementpf the cartons is an anvil-piece 31, having at its upper side an acute angular or knife-like edge; and also secured to the adjacent standard 17 is a guide-bar 32 which projects in lateral angular deflection behind the revolving foldcr devices, and which serves to hold the closure fiaps3 of the cartons to and behind the anvil-piece as the carton is moved away from said revolving folder devices.

Journaled in and between said standards Fixed on said oscillating shaft 33 so as to be operated thereby is a lever member 34, to the upper arm of which is secured a tuck-portion folder and creaser 35 ada ted to cooperate with the anvil-piece 31. baid oscillating shaft 33 is ac tuated by a lever device 36, fulcrumed in connection with the base 11, through a link 37 which is interconnected between the upper end of said lever device 36 and the lower end of said lever member 34;. Timed power transmission means (not shown) is utilized to actuate said lever device 36.

Also fixed on said oscillating shaft 33, so as to be actuated in a properly timed relation to the movements of the cartons, is a closing flap shutter 38 having laterally spaced shutter fingers 39 at its free end to engage and manipulate the carton closure flaps 3 and tuck'portions 4, as will presently appear. Fixed on said propeller device 15 is a tucliportion holding and guide block 40 having an angular face 40. to hold the tuck-portions.

4 in position and a stop projection 40" to retain the carton closure flaps 3 and their tuckportions 4: in proper position preliminary to the closing and tucking operations of said shutter fingers 39.

In operation, the lined and filled cartons are delivered into the runway 10 in an upstanding position, and the propeller device is retracted and swung inwardly to propelling position, in which position the pushpieces 16 engage behind'the cartons so that on the forward stroke of the propeller device the cartons are carried toward the lining and carton closing mechanism. The leading carton, under the impulsion of the propeller device, is carried into position beneath the revolving folder devices. The propeller device is thereupon outwardly swung and then retracted to initial position ready for another operative impelling stroke. lVhile the propeller device is thus recovering, timed operation of the revolving folder devices occurs whereby 'th'e'following manipulation of the open end of the carton lining is accomplished. First the leading arm 24 swings downward toward the delivered carton under the rotary motion transmitted by the shaft 19, thereby causing the primary lining folder 25 to sweep over the outwardly projecting end of the carton lining 5 to thereby press the front ply or side thereof toward the rear ply or side thereof while at the same time bending these parts together with the closure flap 30f the carton rearwardly (as shown in F igures 2 and 4) to thus close the lining over the content of the carton. Before the primary lining folder entirely releases the parts, the seconary lining folder 27 is brought into engage ment with the lining. This secondary lining folder 27 is wider than the primary lining folder 25, and operates both to crease and iron the lining into closed condition while at the same time forming lateral wings rocked inward to engage 5 bordering the inner faces of the side tabs I 2 and 2 of the carton end closure. As the secondary lining folder 27 moves on, the side tab folding cam 29 is carried into engagement with the rear side tab 2'. Due to the shape of the cam 29, which is provided with a trailing end curved toward the carton, the same engages the outer face of said side tab 2 and thereupon bends the same inward and downward carrying with it the adjacent lateral wing 5 of the lining, thus folding the lining laterally and turning the side tab 2 to its closed position. Before the cam 29 releases the side tab 2', the propeller device 15 which has regained its retracted position, is the cartons in the runway preparatory to an impelling stroke. This inward swinging movement of the propeller device 15 carries the holding finger 30 attached thereto into engagement with the downturned side tab 2 to retain the same against opening up while the carton is being shifted forward to the next operative station under the succeeding impelling stroke of the propeller device 15.

As the carton is moved to the next succeeding stage'or station, its upper end passes beneath the anvil piece 31, whereupon the still up-turned' forward side tab 2 is engaged by the rounded nose or end portion 31 of said anvil-piece which bends the same inwardly and downwardly carrying therewith the adjacent lateral wing 5 of the lining. thereby folding this portion of the lining laterally while turning the side tab 2 to its closed position. At the same time, the bent back closure flap 3 of the carton is engaged by the guide bar 32 and is returned to upright position together with the folded end portion 5 of the lining, and in such position is carried behind said anvil-piece 31. The carton, thus shifted, comes to rest in alignment with the tuck-portion folder and creaser 35, which at this time occupies its inactive uplifted position, so that both side tabs 2 and 2' underlie the anvil-piece, while the closure flap 3 and its tuck-portion are disposed between the anvil-piece and said tuck-portion folder and creaser 35. The latter element is now swung downward so as to engage the tuck-portion 4, whereby the latter is turned forwardly and downwardly over the sharp edge of the anvil so that it is creased at the juncture thereof with the closure flap 3 while its free end is downwardly directed toward the mouth of the carton (see Figure 8). The tuck-portion after being so disposed is held in this position by the folder and creaser 35, while the propeller device recovers itself for another impelling stroke. Upon retraction of the propeller device and its inward swinging return to operative engagement with the cartons to another impelling stroke, the holding and guide block 40,

thereby, is moved into enpreparatory tuck-portion which is carried gagement with the downturned tuck-portion 4 so as to hold the same against displacement after the folder and creaser 35 is raised. As the propeller device moves forward to shift the carton to the next stage or station, the holding and guide block 40 travels with the carton and continues to hold the closure flap '3 and its tuck-portion 4 against displacement from the position in which it has been disposed. At the end of the next impelling stroke of the propelling device, the carton is positioned in alignment with the closure flap shutter 38, which on arrival of the carton occupies its raised position. At the proper moment the shutter 38 is swung downward so that its shutter fingers 39 engage the closure flap 3 (see Figure 9). The continued down swinging movement of the shutter fingers turns down the closure flap 3 together with the folded end portion 5 of the lining over the closed side tabs 2 and 2', while at the same time thrusting the free end of the tuckportion 4 into the mouth of the carton between the front wall thereof and the. lining, said tuckportion 4 being properly guided by the guide face 40 of the holding and guide block 40. As soon as the tuck-portion 4 is thus started into the mouth of the carton the outward swinging of the propellingdevice is initiated preparatory to recovery of the propelling device for another stroke, and at the same time continued downward movement of the shutter fingers 39 completes the inward thrusting of the tuck-portion 4 and the closing of the closure flap 3 until the carton end is finally and completely closed. The next succeeding impelling stroke or strokes of the propelling device discharges the closed carton from the runway, and the operations are complete.

It will be understood that during the operation of the mechanism the cartons are successively and progressively impelled from stage to stage so that while one operation is being effected as to one carton another operation is being effected as to succeeding cartons, and consequently the mechanism may be run at a very considerable speed, with a completely closed carton being discharged therefrom at each stroke of the propelling device.

The mechanism above described and asshown in the accompanying drawings is illustrative of the principles of the instant invention but is subject to considerablevariation in design and in specific construction and arrangement of parts. Hence, I do not limit this invention to the exact arrangements and forth in the specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construcparts as illustrated in the accomtion of said panying drawings.

I claim 1. Mechanism for closing the open end of a lined carton having side tabs and a tuckend closure flap comprising: means to support the carton; revolving primary and secondary lining folders and a revolving rearward side tab closing cam: a statlonary anvil piece having at one end a nosing to close the forward side tab when the carton is moved thereunder,-oscillatable means to fold the tuck end closure flap over said anvil piece to direct its free end toward the mouth of the carton; oscillatable means to move the closure flap into closed position while thrusting its tuck end into the carton mouth; and means to progressively move the carton on the support therefor into positions to be successively acted on by the several aforesaid devices.

2. Mechanism for closing the open end of a lined carton having side tabs and a tuckend closure flap comprising: a runway along which the cartons may be moved; a reciprocating propelling device for moving cartons progressively along sald runway, revolving folder means overhanging said runway adapted to partially fold the open end ofthe carton lining preparatory to closing the carton, said revolving folder means including means to close one carton side flap and fold down therewith an adjacent lateral wing fold of the partially folded lining; a stat onary anvil piece having at one end a nosing to close the other carton side flap and fold down therewith an adjacent lateral wing fold of the partially folded lining when the carton is moved beneath said anvil-piece; oscillatable means to fold the tuck-.end closure flap over saidanvil-piece to direct its free end toward the mouth of the carton and oscillatable means beyond said anvil-piece to move the closure flap together with the folded portions of the lining into closed pos tion while thrusting said tuck-end into the carton mouth.

3. Mechanism for closing the open end of a lined carton having side tabs and a tuckend closure flap comprising: a runway along which the cartons may be moved; a reciproeating device for moving cartons progressively along said runway, revolving Iolder means overhanging said runway adaptetlto partially fold'the open end of the carton rining preparatory to closing the carbon, said revolvingfolder means including means to close one carton side flap and fold down therewith an adjacent lateral wing fold of the partially folded lining; means on said propelling device to engage and hold down said carton side flap as the carton is moved beyond sa d revolving folder means; va stationary anvilniece beyond said revolving folder means having at one end a nosing to close theother carton side flap and fold down therewith an adjacent lateral wing fold of the partially folded lining when the carton is moved beneath said anvil-piece; oscillatable means to fold the tuck-end closure flap over said anvilpiece to direct its free end toward the mouth of the carton; means on said propelling device to engage and hold the folded tuck-end closure flap as the carton is moved beyond said anvil-piece; and oscillatable means beyond said anvil-piece to move the closure flap together with the folded portions of the lining to closed osition while thrusting said tuck-end into t e carton mouth.

4. Mechanism for closing the openend of a lined carton having a closure flap; a runway along which the cartons may be moved; a longitudinal reciprocating propelling device mounted for lateral oscillation into and out of the path of movement of the cartons, revolving folder means, means overhangin said runway adapted to initially fold the walls of the lining together so asto produce lateral win folds; said revolving folder nieans inclu ing means to close on carton side flap and fold down therewith an adjacent lateral wing fold of the lining; a stationary anvil-piece beyond said revolving folder means having at one end a nosin to close the other carton side flap and fold down therewith an adjacent lateral wing fold of the lining when the carton is moved beneath said anvil-piece;

oscillatable means to fold the remaining carton closure flap over said anvil-piece to form a downwardl directed tucklatable means eyond said anvi -piece to move said carton closure flap together with the adjacent folded end of the lining into fully closed position with its tuck-portion inserted 7 within the molith of the carton; and said propelling device being adapted to move the cartons step by step through said runwa and into operative relation to said lining older means and carton flap closing means.

5. Mechanism for closing the open end of a lined carton having a closure flap; a runway along which the cartons may be moved; a longitudinal reciprocating propelling device mounted for lateral oscillation into and out of the path of movement of the cartons, revolving folder means, means overhanging said runway adapted to initially fold the walls of the lining together so as to produce lateral wing folds; said revolving folder means including means to close on carton side flap and fold down therewith an adjacent lateral wing fold of thelining; a stationary anvil-piece beyond said revolving folder means having at one end a nosing to close the other carton side flap and folddown therewith an adjacent lateral wing fold of the linin when the carton is moved beneath said anvil-piece; oscillatable means to fold the remaining carton closure flap over said anvil-piece to form a downwardly directed tuck-portion; oscillatable means beyond said anvil-piece to move said carton closure flap together with the adjacent folded end of the lining into fully closed position with its tucks-portion inserted within the ortion; oscilmouth of the carton; said propelling device- 

